Toy figure and eyeset therefor



Dec. 18, 1962 H. WOLFE ET AL 3,068,613

TOY FIGURE AND EYESET THEREFOR Filed Oct. 8, 1959 I NV E NTOR-$ HARVEY W. SAMO HOWARD WOLFE ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,068,613 TOY FIGURE AND EYESET THEREFOR Howard Wolfe, Harrington Park, and Harvey W. Samo,

Bayonne, N.J., assignors to Margon Corporation, Newark, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Oct. 8, 1959, Ser. No. 845,275 6 Claims. (Cl. 46-168) This invention relates generally to dolls or toy figures and, more particularly, to doll or toy figure heads and manually operated eyesets therefor.

One important object of the present invention is the provision of an improved manually operated eyeset which is characterized by an improved construction and arrangement of components to simplify the manufacture and assembly thereof. Pursuant to this object of the present invention, the eyeset is provided with an improved frame for mounting the eye members for pivotal movement, the frame itself being pivotally movable when attached in a head to move the eye members out of registry with the eye openings of the head to facilitate finishing the latter.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved head and eyeset combination in which the head parts may be finally assembled with the eye members out of registry with the eye openings, the eye members being movable for registry with the eye openings after the completion of the head finishing operations Without disturbing the assembly of the head parts. In this manner the assembled head parts may be finish sprayed without masking the eye openings to thereby obviate the difficulties and problems attendant to mask- Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of an eyeset of the aforenoted character, which is of generally improved design and construction, economical to manufacture and assemble, and which is eminently suitable-for its intended purpose.

To the accomplishment of the above and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to a toy figure and eyeset therefor as defined in the appended claims, and as described in this specification, taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a manually operated eyeset formed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the front part of a head, illustrating the manner of assembly of the eyeset thereto;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the head with parts broken away to illustrate the eyeset construction; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the head with parts broken away to reveal the eyeset.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown an eyeset assembly of the manually operable type which is adapted for assembly in the doll or toy figure head 12 in the manner to be described in detail hereinafter, said assembly comprising a pair of structurally identical eye members 14 which are pivotally mounted on a frame 16, the latter being adapted for securement in the front section 12A of the head 12. The eye members 14 may be of any suitable design and construction, and in the illustrated embodiment said eye members are of molded plastic construction and of generally hemispherical configuration. It will be understood that the forward part of the eye members 14 include a suitable lens simulating iris and pupil portions of the eye. Each eye member is provided with an integral rearwardly projecting arm 18 extending from the bottom edge of the eye member at the center thereof. Extending from the rear edge 20 of "ice.

the eye member 14 in spaced relation with arm 18, are a pair of stop elements 22 which are integrally formed with the eye member.

The mounting frame 16 for the eye members is formed by suitably bending wire stock to the U-shaped configuration shown, the mounting frame comprising a base part 24 and a pair of laterally spaced substantially parallel legs 26 and 26 extending therefrom. Each eye member 14 is provided with a pair of vertically aligned apertures 28 disposed diametrically and spaced slightly forwardly of the rear edge 20. Each eye member 14 is mounted on a leg 26, 26' of the frame 16 by passing each leg through the aligned apertures 28 of a companion eye member. The apertures 28 receive the legs 26, 26 with clearance so that the eyes may pivot about vertical axes constituted by said legs. After the eye members 14 are assembled on their respective frame legs, washers 36 are engaged on said legs, and the latter are upset or staked, as indicated at 32, to retain the eye members in assembled relation with the mounting frame.

The arms 18 at their terminal ends are provided with apertures 33 to receive the legs 34 of the actuating frame 36, said legs and arms being retained in assembled relation by upsetting or staking said legs, as indicated at 37, at opposite sides of said arms, there being preferably interposed between the upset portions 37 of the legs and the arm washers 38. The actuating frame 36 is formed by bending wire stock to the configuration shown, said actuating frame having a horizontal looped central portion 40 formed in the base part 42 of the frame. Secured on leg 26 of the mounting frame in the interior of the companion eye member is one end of an elastic band 44, the opposite end of said band being stretched around the looped portion 40 of the actuating frame 36. The mounting frame =16 is adapted to be fixed in stationary relation in the head 12; and the actuating frame 36 is adapted for sidewise movement to pivot the eye members in unison about vertical axes defined by the mounting frame legs 26, 26'. Thus the eyeset assembly, as described above, is supplied as a component or article of manufacture for incorporation in the complementary formed head 12, which will now be described. Y

The head, which may be for a doll or any other toy figure, is formed of two mating parts or sections 12A and 123, which are assembled to each other along the meeting line 46. The head exemplified is formed of a suitable relatively rigid plastics material and depicts the desired facial features and characteristics. More particularly, front part 12A is provided with the usual eye openings 48, a nose 50, and an opening 52 which is adapted to receive a mouth element (not shown). The head part 12A is provided with an integral internally projecting support ledge 54 which is slotted as indicated at 56 to receive the base part 24 of eyeset 10. The eyeset issassembled to the front head part 12A by mounting the base part 24 in slot 56, and said base part is secured in position in said slot in any suitable manner, as by cementing a cover strip 58 in place to close off said slot. If desired, the slot may be closed, or partially closed, to prevent the disengagement of the base part 24 therefrom by upsetting the material of ledge. 54. The base part 24 defines a suspension means and a horizontal pivot axis for the eyeset on the initial installation of the eyeset, the latter being pivotally movable from a normal position in which the eye members are in registry with their companion eye openings 48 as shown in solid lines in FIG. 3 to the broken line position shown in said figure, in which said eye members are swung out of the way of the eye openings for a purpose which will be apparent from the description which follows. The front head part 12A is further provided at one side the head at the neck opening 68.

thereof with an integral post 60 having an inturned terminal end 62, said post forming a guide for the string 64 which is secured at one end to the looped portion 40 as indicated at, the opposite end of the string extending down the head through the neck opening 68. The rear head part 128 is secured to the front head part 12A in any conventional manner, as by cementing, along the line 46. It will be understood that the complementary edge portions of the front and rear head parts are provided with interfitting projections and apertures which assure the proper alignment of the head parts on assembly. With the eyeset swung out of the way of the eye openings, the head may be finished in the usual manner without masking the eye openings 48. The eyeset is temporarily retained in the upwardly swung position by a friction fit at slot 56, or in any other suitable manner. It will be understood that with the eye as sembly fixed in position with the eye members in registry with the eye openings pursuant to the usual construction, it is necessary to mask such eyes in order to prevent the head finishing materials from spoiling the surface of the eye members. Thus pursuant to the present invention the head may be sprayed for coloring the same in the usual manner without masking the eye openings 48.

After the completion of the spray finishing operations the eyeset may be pivotally swung down to its final posi tion in which the eye members are in registry with the openings 48 by actuating the string 64 downwardly. Access to the interior of the head for completing the assembl of the eyeset with the head is obtained through the mouth opening 52. Laterally adjacent the nose 50 and projecting internally of the head part 12 are integral posts 7-0 which are slotted at their terminal ends as indicated at 72, said slots receiving the end portions of legs 26 and 26' when the eyeset is swung downwardly into position on the manipulation of the string 64. The open slots 72 may be closed oil in any suitable manner to capture the legs 26, 26' in position. In the illustrated embodiment the slots 72 are closed oil by a retainer strip 74 having projecting portions 76 which interfit in said slots, said projecting portions being secured in position by cementing or in any other suitable manner. If desired, the end portions of the legs 26, 26' may be arranged t'o snap-engage in position in said slots to retain said legs in position. The head is completed by attaching a suitable mouth member at opening 52.

In one extreme position of the eye members 14, as shown in 4, the inner or right stop element 22 of the left eyeengages the base part 42 of the actuating frame 36, to limit the pivotal movement of the eyes in one direction. The eye members may be oscillated in nnison about their pivot axes 26, 26' by actuating the string 64, which extends through neck opening 68, downwardly, this, pulling on the string oscillating the eye members sidewardly in an opposite direction, with the motion being limitedby the engagement of the inner stop 22, of the right eye member with said actuating frame base part. On downwardly pulling the string the elastic band 44 is tensioned, and onthe release of said be mounted on a support or body in any suitable manner, the; support or body being normally integrated with The simplicity of construction and arrangement of components of the eyset assembly is believed to be manifestly evident from the above description. It will further be notedthat the head parts may be assembled to enclose the eyeset and finish sprayed without masking the eye openings so as to eliminate the problems and difficulties normally associated with masking. If desired, the.

front head part 12A may be provided with a second post corresponding to .post 60 at the opposite side of the head part to receive one end of the elastic band 44 so that the latter extends between such second post and portion 40 for achieving the elastic band function aforedescribed.

It is believed that the construction and operation of the toyfigure and eyeset therefor will be apparent from the foregoing. detailed description. It will also be apparent that While we have shown and described our invention in its. preferred form, changes may be made in the structure disclosed, without departing from the scope of the invention, as sought to be defined in the following claims:

We claim:

1. In combination, a toy figure head and a manually operable eyeset secured therein, said head having a pair of eye openings and a mounting provision projecting internally thereof, said eyeset comprising a U-shaped frame mounting a pair of eye members, said frame having a base part and a pair of laterally spaced leg portions, said eye members being mounted on said leg portions for pivotal movement in unison about axes defined by said leg portions, and means interconnecting said eye members, for conjoint pivotal movement, said base part being secured in said mounting provision for pivotal movement from a position in which said eye members are swung out of the way of said eye openings to a position in which said eye members register with said eye openings.

2. In combination, a toy figure head and a manually operable eyeset secured therein, said head having a pair of eye openings and a mounting provision projecting internally thereof, said eyeset comprising a U-shaped frame mounting a pair of eye members, said frame having a base part and a pair of laterally spaced leg por- 'tions, said eye members being mounted on said leg portions for pivotal movement in unison about axes defined by said leg portions, and means interconnecting said eye members for conjoint pivotal movement, said base part being secured in said mounting provision for pivotal movement from a position in which said eye members are swung out of the way of said eye openings to a position in which said eye members register with said eye openings, said head having additional mounting provisions to receive said leg portions in said last mentioned "position of said eye members for securing said eyeset in fixed position in said head.

3. In combination, a toy figure head and a manually operable eyeset secured therein, said head having a pair of eye openings and a mounting provision projecting internally thereof, said eyeset comprising a U-shaped frame mounting a pair of eye members, said frame having a base part and a pair of laterally spaced leg portions, said eye members being mounted on said leg portions for pivotal movement in unison about axes defined by said leg portions, and means interconnecting said eye members for conjoint pivotal movement, said base part being secured in said mounting provision for pivotal movement from a position in which said eye members are swung out of the way of said eye openings to a position in which said eye members register with said eye openings, said eye members being biased in one direction of pivotal movement by an elastic band extending between one leg portion and said interconnecting means, the latter having one end of an actuating string connected thereto and extending externally of the head, said eyeset being swung to a position in which said eye members register with said eye openings by pulling on said actuating string. H 4. In combination, a toy figure head and a manually operable eyeset secured therein, said head having a pair of eye openings and a mounting provision projecting internally, thereof, said eyeset comprising a U-shaped frame mounting a pair of eye members, said frame having a base part and a pair of laterally spaced leg portions, said eye members being mounted on'sa'id leg portions for pivotal movement in unison about the axes defined by said leg portions, and means interconnecting said eye members for conjoint pivotal movement, said base part being secured in said mounting provision for pivotal movement from a position in which said eye members are swung out of the way of said eye openings to a position in which said eye members register with said eye openings, said eye members being biased in one direction of pivotal movement by an elastic band extending between one leg portion and said interconnecting means,

the latter having one end of an actuating string connected thereto and extending externally of the head, said head having additional mounting provisions to receive said leg portions in said last mentioned position of said eye members for securing said eyeset in fixed position in said head, said eyeset being swung to said last mentioned position of said eye members by pulling on said actuating string, and means providing access to said additional mounting provisions for securing said leg portions thereto from a position external of the head.

5. In combination, a toy figure head and a manually operable eyeset secured therein, said head having a pair of eye openings and mounting provisions projecting in ternally thereof, said eyeset comprising a one-piece U- shaped frame mounting a pair of eyemernbers, said frame having a base part and a pair of laterally spaced substantially parallel leg portions depending from said base part, said base part defining a suspension means for the eyeset, said eye members being structurally identical and each having a pair of aligned diametrically disposed apertures, each leg portion extending through the apertures of a companion eye member for mounting the latter for pivotal movement, each eye member having a rear- Wardly projecting portion, a one-piece actuating frame extending between said projecting portions and interconnecting the latter for conjoint movement of said eye members, and said eye members being biased inone direc tion of pivotal movement by an elastic band extending between one leg portion and said actuating frame, the latter being movable to tension said elastic band and pivot said eye members in an opposite direction, said base part being secured in a companion one of said mounting provisions for pivotal movement therein and said leg portions being secured in other of said mounting provisions '9 for securing said eyeset in fixed position in said head, said eye members registering with said eye openings.

6. In combination, a toy figure head and a manually operable eyeset secured therein, said head having a pair of eye openings and mounting provisions projecting internally thereof, said eyeset comprising a one-piece U- shaped frame mounting a pair of eye members, said frame having a base part and a pair of laterally spaced substantially parallel leg portions depending from said base part, said base part defining a suspension means for the eyeset, said eye members being structurally identical and each having a pair of aligned diametrically disposed apertures, each leg portion extending through the apertures of a companion eye member for mounting the latter for pivotal movement, each eye member having a rearwardly projecting portion, a one-piece actuating frame extending between said projecting portions and interconnecting the latter for conjoint movement of said eye members, and said eye members being biased in one direction of pivotal movement by an elastic band extending between one leg portion and said actuating frame, the latter being movable to tension said elastic band and pivot said eye members in an opposite direction, said base part being secured in a companion one of said mounting provisions for pivotal movement therein and said leg portions being secured in other of said mounting provisions for securing said eyeset in fixed position in said head, said eye members registering with said eye openings, and an actuating string connected to said actuating frame and accessible externally of the head for pivoting said eye members in said opposite direction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 189,907 Smith Apr. 24, 1877 1,233,242 lacquered July 10, 1917 1,632,272 Centilivere June 14, 1927 2,119,214 Marcus May 31, 1938 2,509,373 Stevens May 30, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 331,629 France Aug. 3, 1903 8,995 Great Britain 1912 266,454 Italy July 29, 1929 

